Knauf AMF makes a big splash at the University of Strathclyde’s new £31m sports centre

The £31m refurbishment of the University of Strathclyde’s Sports Centre brings state-of-the-art training, fitness and wellbeing facilities to the campus enhancing the student experience. Optimum sound control was a design imperative for the new centre and so Knauf AMF Heradesign® and Thermatex Aquatec® were specified for the project.

220m2 of white Heradesign® macro was installed on the walls around the impressive six-lane 25m swimming pool. A further 1000m2 of Thermatex Aquatec® formed the ceiling system in the adjoining changing, showering and circulation areas.

Gareth McKnight, Architect, Kennedy Fitzgerald & Associates said,

“The biggest challenge was the pool hall as there are only a few systems that meet the anti-corrosive criteria necessary in areas with high humidity. Heradesign is one which is why we have worked with this product on several similar projects. Acoustic performance was also a critical factor in an area where there are a lot of hard harsh services. We worked with an acoustician to measure the reverberation times and Heradesign performed well. We were looking for a white tile, to compliment the interior colour scheme but the wood wool surface of Heradesign micro also brought texture, added depth and interest to the overall interior design.”

Sound quality is not the only consideration in rooms with permanently high humidity, such as swimming pools, humidity resistance demands are also placed on the ceiling. Due to its technologically advanced composition, Thermatex Aquatec resists humidity up to 100 per cent RH. This means it is dimensionally stable when exposed to high humidity and temperatures from 0–40°C. Aquatec also has outstanding sound absorption and an easy-clean surface providing an optimal solution for most hygiene requirements.